Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1887-07-06

HE PRESIDENT ON THE GETTYshuhd
RE-UNIoN.- letter Of President Cleve-
land in response to an invitation to attend
the reunion at Gettysburg of survivors OF
Pickett's Division and of the Philadelphia
Brigade that helped to repel its famous
charge, is, says the Baltimore Sun, con-
ceived in the large and patriotic spirit that
should ever animate the Chief Magistrate
of the Union in speaking of matters relat-
ing to past sectional controversies, and In
this respect is in strong contrast with the
response to like invitation made by Sem
ator Sherman, who, while seeming to en-
courage reconciliation, assumes that there
is yet ga danger line between Northern
and Southern citizens" The President
would promote the growth of kindly feel
ing throughout the country; the Senator, it
appears, would obstruct it with doubt
There is no direct reference in either letter
to the recent outburst of frantic passion
over ''the flag order" but it is evident that
it is had in mind. The President evident
ly feels keenly the unmerited abuse and
Misrepresentation to which the incident
gave rise, and sees in what he terms "the
fraternal meetings of soldiers upon the
battle. field, where twenty -four years ago
they sought each others lives" a vindica-
ton of the motives upon which he acted in
sanctioning the order in question. The
meeting at Gettysburg illustrates" the
President very truly says, "the generous
impulse of brave men and their honest de.
sire for peace and reconciliation" and as
an indication of the real sentiments Of the
country is worth more, it may be fairly
held, than thousand speeches of self-seek-
ing politicians. "WhiIe those who fought,
and who have so much to forgive, lead in
the pleasant ways of peace, how wicked, !"
the President exclaims, "appear the traffic
in sectional hate and in betrayal of patri-
otto sentiment. 1t surely cannot be
wrong to desire the settled quiet which
lights for our entire country the path to
prosperity and greatness, nor need the les
sons of the war be forgotten and its results
fraternity which insures national pride and
glory" The President recognizes fully
the fact that the war is over, and that il
was successful in restoring the Union. Be.
sides restoring the Union, it has accom-
plished also, SO far as was practicable te
republican craftsmanship, the 'results'
about which Senator Sherman feels 81
much anxiety. What is now to be done ii
to live in peace under restored Unior
and enjoy its results. The soldiers al
I Gettysburg on the 4th desired by theil
actions to give expression to this single
truth and the President but voices the gen
eral sentiment when he says of their meet
ing that it presages the end of the bitterness
of strife. The speeches delivered at thu
Gettysburg reunion breathe this spirit O.
deep and broad patriotism, and the utter
ances of both Federal and Confederate
veterans, are eloquent in their earnest ant
honest pleas for the old union of brotherly
love and mutual confidence. No better al
swer to President Cleveland's appeal coult
be returned than comes from Gettysburg
and the country can rest satisfied that thes'
men of action mean what they say, ant
that they will form for the future an irwin
: chile barrier of reconciliation against which
the waves of political passion will beat il
vain.